FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp, has announced that Dubai Airports will join its UAE Customer Advisory Board for Roxo, the FedEx SameDay Bot, focusing on the collaboration to develop a device to meet business needs in the UAE.

Roxo is an autonomous delivery device, designed to travel on sidewalks and along roadsides, safely delivering smaller shipments to customers’ homes and businesses, said a statement.

Its features include pedestrian-safe technology from the iBot, plus advanced technology such as LiDAR and multiple cameras, allowing the zero-emission, battery-powered bot to be aware of its surroundings, it said.

These features are coupled with machine-learning algorithms to detect and avoid obstacles, plot a safe path, and allow the bot to follow road and safety rules.

Proprietary technology makes it highly capable, allowing it to navigate unpaved surfaces, curbs, and to even climb some steps for an extraordinary door-to-door delivery experience.

James R Muhs, regional president for FedEx Express in the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, said: “Feedback from customers will ensure that real-use conditions are taken into consideration as early as possible during the ongoing development of Roxo’s capabilities.”

“Future local assessment would operate similar to the testing currently underway in the US, with selected customers providing insight and advice on their needs and requirements,” he added.

Eugene Barry, executive vice president – commercial, Dubai Airports, said: “This is a great opportunity to see Roxo operate in a live international travel environment.”

“There are several potential applications we see for commercial and non-commercial uses between airport teams, and between businesses and travellers. We are excited to be involved in the evaluation with FedEx Express and with our airport partners,” he added.

“Roxo is an innovation changing the landscape of on-demand hyper-localised delivery, and we are excited that in the future, testing will expand to international locations beyond the current test cities in the US including Memphis, Tennessee, Manchester, New Hampshire, and Plano and Frisco, Texas,” Muhs concluded. – TradeArabia News Service